set one on his feet (gcide) | Foot \Foot\ (f[oo^]t), n.; pl. Feet (f[=e]t). [OE. fot, foot,
pl. fet, feet. AS. f[=o]t, pl. f[=e]t; akin to D. voet, OHG.
fuoz, G. fuss, Icel. f[=o]tr, Sw. fot, Dan. fod, Goth.
f[=o]tus, L. pes, Gr. poy`s, Skr. p[=a]d, Icel. fet step,
pace measure of a foot, feta to step, find one's way.
[root]77, 250. Cf. Antipodes, Cap-a-pie, Expedient,
Fet to fetch, Fetlock, Fetter, Pawn a piece in chess,
Pedal.]
1. (Anat.) The terminal part of the leg of man or an animal;
esp., the part below the ankle or wrist; that part of an
animal upon which it rests when standing, or moves. See
Manus, and Pes.
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2. (Zool.) The muscular locomotive organ of a mollusk. It is
a median organ arising from the ventral region of body,
often in the form of a flat disk, as in snails. See
Illust. of Buccinum.
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3. That which corresponds to the foot of a man or animal; as,
the foot of a table; the foot of a stocking.
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4. The lowest part or base; the ground part; the bottom, as
of a mountain, column, or page; also, the last of a row or
series; the end or extremity, esp. if associated with
inferiority; as, the foot of a hill; the foot of the
procession; the foot of a class; the foot of the bed;; the
foot of the page.
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And now at foot
Of heaven's ascent they lift their feet. --Milton.
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5. Fundamental principle; basis; plan; -- used only in the
singular.
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Answer directly upon the foot of dry reason.
--Berkeley.
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6. Recognized condition; rank; footing; -- used only in the
singular. [R.]
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As to his being on the foot of a servant. --Walpole.
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7. A measure of length equivalent to twelve inches; one third
of a yard. See Yard.
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Note: This measure is supposed to be taken from the length of
a man's foot. It differs in length in different
countries. In the United States and in England it is
304.8 millimeters.
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8. (Mil.) Soldiers who march and fight on foot; the infantry,
usually designated as the foot, in distinction from the
cavalry. "Both horse and foot." --Milton.
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9. (Pros.) A combination of syllables consisting a metrical
element of a verse, the syllables being formerly
distinguished by their quantity or length, but in modern
poetry by the accent.
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10. (Naut.) The lower edge of a sail.
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Note: Foot is often used adjectively, signifying of or
pertaining to a foot or the feet, or to the base or
lower part. It is also much used as the first of
compounds.
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Foot artillery. (Mil.)
(a) Artillery soldiers serving in foot.
(b) Heavy artillery. --Farrow.
Foot bank (Fort.), a raised way within a parapet.
Foot barracks (Mil.), barracks for infantery.
Foot bellows, a bellows worked by a treadle. --Knight.
Foot company (Mil.), a company of infantry. --Milton.
Foot gear, covering for the feet, as stocking, shoes, or
boots.
Foot hammer (Mach.), a small tilt hammer moved by a
treadle.
Foot iron.
(a) The step of a carriage.
(b) A fetter.
Foot jaw. (Zool.) See Maxilliped.
Foot key (Mus.), an organ pedal.
Foot level (Gunnery), a form of level used in giving any
proposed angle of elevation to a piece of ordnance.
--Farrow.
Foot mantle, a long garment to protect the dress in riding;
a riding skirt. [Obs.]
Foot page, an errand boy; an attendant. [Obs.]
Foot passenger, one who passes on foot, as over a road or
bridge.
Foot pavement, a paved way for foot passengers; a footway;
a trottoir.
Foot poet, an inferior poet; a poetaster. [R.] --Dryden.
Foot post.
(a) A letter carrier who travels on foot.
(b) A mail delivery by means of such carriers.
Fot pound, & Foot poundal. (Mech.) See Foot pound and
Foot poundal, in the Vocabulary.
Foot press (Mach.), a cutting, embossing, or printing
press, moved by a treadle.
Foot race, a race run by persons on foot. --Cowper.
Foot rail, a railroad rail, with a wide flat flange on the
lower side.
Foot rot, an ulcer in the feet of sheep; claw sickness.
Foot rule, a rule or measure twelve inches long.
Foot screw, an adjusting screw which forms a foot, and
serves to give a machine or table a level standing on an
uneven place.
Foot secretion. (Zool.) See Sclerobase.
Foot soldier, a soldier who serves on foot.
Foot stick (Printing), a beveled piece of furniture placed
against the foot of the page, to hold the type in place.
Foot stove, a small box, with an iron pan, to hold hot
coals for warming the feet.
Foot tubercle. (Zool.) See Parapodium.
Foot valve (Steam Engine), the valve that opens to the air
pump from the condenser.
Foot vise, a kind of vise the jaws of which are operated by
a treadle.
Foot waling (Naut.), the inside planks or lining of a
vessel over the floor timbers. --Totten.
Foot wall (Mining), the under wall of an inclosed vein.
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By foot, or On foot, by walking; as, to pass a stream on
foot.
Cubic foot. See under Cubic.
Foot and mouth disease, a contagious disease (Eczema
epizo["o]tica) of cattle, sheep, swine, etc.,
characterized by the formation of vesicles and ulcers in
the mouth and about the hoofs.
Foot of the fine (Law), the concluding portion of an
acknowledgment in court by which, formerly, the title of
land was conveyed. See Fine of land, under Fine, n.;
also Chirograph. (b).
Square foot. See under Square.
To be on foot, to be in motion, action, or process of
execution.
To keep the foot (Script.), to preserve decorum. "Keep thy
foot when thou goest to the house of God." --Eccl. v. 1.
To put one's foot down, to take a resolute stand; to be
determined. [Colloq.]
To put the best foot foremost, to make a good appearance;
to do one's best. [Colloq.]
To set on foot, to put in motion; to originate; as, to set
on foot a subscription.
To put one on his feet, or set one on his feet, to put
one in a position to go on; to assist to start.
Under foot.
(a) Under the feet; (Fig.) at one's mercy; as, to trample
under foot. --Gibbon.
(b) Below par. [Obs.] "They would be forced to sell . . .
far under foot." --Bacon.
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